prepared to give their services ridiculously cheap in exchange for the opportunity of learning the English language. Mr. Blatherwick held the view that for a private school a male front-door opener was superior to a female, arguing that the parents of prospective pupils would be impressed by the sight of a man in livery. He would have liked something a bit more imposing than Adolf, but the latter was the showiest thing that could be got for the money, so he made the best of it, and engaged him. After all, an astigmatic parent, seeing Adolf in a dim light, might be impressed by him. You never could tell.
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"James kissed Violet."
"Well?" said James, glaring.
"Anysing vrom dze fillage, sare?"
The bulk of Adolf's perquisites consisted of the tips he received for going to the general store down the road for tobacco, stamps, and so son. "No. Get out," growled James, turning to his work.
He was surprised to find that Adolf, so far from getting out, came in and shut the door.
"Zst!" said Adolf, with a finger on his lips.
James Stared.
"In dze garten zis morning," proceeded his visitor, grinning like a gargoyle, "I did zee you giss Violed. Zo!"
James's heart missed a beat. Considered purely as a situation, his present position was not ideal. He had to work hard, and there was not much money attached to the job. But it was what the situation stood for that counted. It was his little rock of safety in the midst of a surging ocean of West Australian sheep. Once let him lose his grip on it, and there was no chance for him. He would be swept away beyond hope of return.
"What do you mean?" he said, hoarsely.
"In dze garten. I you vrom a window did zee. You und Violed. Zo!" And Adolf, int he worst tasted, gave a realistic imitation of the scene, himself sustaining the rôle of James.
James said nothing. The whole world seemed to be filled with a vast baa-ing, as of countless flocks.
"Lizzun!" said Adolf. "Berhaps I Herr Blazzervig dell. Berhaps not I do. Zo!"
James roused himself. At all costs he
